New Bike, need help

[Daggett]

Kathi,

My old bike was a Trek hybrid. Nearly all of my weight was on my butt. So any weight on my hands is an adjustment, but I do believe that I have too much weight on my hands. When I was looking for a new bike I liked the position of the Trek Pilot but the LBS and I felt for the money the Serotta was a much better buy. He tried to match sizing to the Trek. The Fierte is a stock geometry. I purchased a 52S which has a sloped TT similar to the Pilot. My fit and posture look correct, but my neck and shoulders do not agree.

[Triskeliongirl]

I would go back to your LBS, tell them where it hurts, and ask them to adjust it. How long is your stem. A stem that is short and/or high can make the bike feel squirelly, as can not having good balance over the bike. Bars that are too narrow can also give the kind of pain you have, but the guys in your shop are in a better position to diagnose the problem than we are since we can't see you on your bike. If they say the position is good, then I would give it a little time.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Going from a hybrid body position to a road bike body position is a big change.
When I switched, on my new road bike i felt like i was falling forward on my face, all my weight was on my hands, my hands were going numb, my back hurt. The 2 bike people I trust said my position looked good on it.

We made big plans to change my 9cm stem to shorter 3cm, higher handlebars, seat forward, etc etc.
But before we had time to do all that, I rode for 2 months and found that my body started adjusting to the new position. Now 2 months later, I am lowering my handlebars, pushing my seat back, my hands feel fine and I find my muscles have adjusted so that they now distribute my weight more evenly over feet, seat, and hands. I am WAY more comfortable now.
I never did swap out for the shorter stem yet, which is sitting on the garage table gathering dust while I ponder returning it...
Unless you are in terrible pain, try riding it for a few weeks before making changes, and then change only one thing at a time.

[Kathi]

Daggett,

I agree with Lise S.H. ride for a while and let your body adapt to the changes. When I changed my Aegis I raised my handlebars 4 cm. I really felt it in my shoulders and back. After 3-4 weeks my body stopped complaining.

The ususual recommendation is to make changes in small increments, if you went to a road bike from a hybrid that is a big change and you will feel it for awhile.